NEW YORK (AP) – Kyrie Irving was traded away a year ago, but he’s never fully left New York.
Not when he grew up in the area as a Nets fan, and not when so many family and friends were in attendance when he came back yesterday.
He gave them quite a show. Irving scored 36 points, leading the Mavericks to a 119-107 victory and then spending time signing autographs and greeting his old fans in the stands.
“Just like any other basketball game, but it felt like I was home tonight,” Irving said.
Luka Doncic had 35 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists as the Mavericks’ guard tandem took turns hitting some deep three-pointers in the second half when the Nets were trying to make a run. Doncic quickly shed the mask he began the game with to protect a nasal contusion and just missed his 10th triple-double of the season.
Mikal Bridges scored 28 points and Royce O’Neal had 18 for the short-handed Nets. Ben Simmons had nine points, nine rebounds and seven assists after sitting out a loss to Golden State on Tuesday.
